Senators & Penguins Linked To Erik Karlsson Trade

The Pittsburgh Penguins are open for business, and you can expect to see veteran defenceman Erik Karlsson on the move this season. Karlsson's a pending unrestricted free agent, he's not going to re-sign in Pittsburgh, and Dubas would like to flip the mobile blueliner for some NHL-ready talent.

Karlsson's making $10 million AAV this season, so we all know Dubas will have to retain a good chunk of his cap hit to receive a significant package in return. Karlsson's turned back the clock, he's playing amazing this season for the Pens, leading the team with 19 points in 20 games.

There's been plenty of reports lately stating the Karlsson trade talks are moving along at a pretty strong pace, and while the Carolina Hurricanes tried to trade for him a few years ago, and have continued to be linked, keep an eye on Karlsson's former team, the Ottawa Senators.

Daily Faceoff's Matt Larkin sees the Sens as a perfect landing spot, as the team is in search for more offense from the d-core, and Karlsson's very familiar with the city and the organization. He owns a full no-movement clause, so Karlsson has all control of his destiny. He wants to win a Stanley Cup, and could see the Senators as as potential contender if Linus Ullmark is standing tall.

Matt Larkin: I think Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson, to me, is someone who would be amenable to a move because he wants to chase that Stanley Cup, and I have the Ottawa Senators circled as a homecoming. His wife is from Ottawa, that’s where they met, and I just think it would make sense for him to come back to where it all began.

The Senators have $3.1 million in cap space, so there's no doubt Dubas will have to retain some of Karlsson's salary to make a deal work. Ottawa owns their first-round pick, and two second-rounders, so don't be shocked to see a prospect, along with both seconds heading to Pittsburgh in return.